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FIBA bans Nigerian players

Published

9 years ago

July 14, 2015

In from Nifemi Daniel…

Nigeria has again fallen foul of the rules following the suspension of three players in the on-going 2015 FIBA Africa U-16 Women’s Championship in Antananarivo, Madagascar ‎less than two years after five players of the national U-16 team were suspended over age discrepancy in Benin Republic in 2013.

The suspended players are Okoli Maureen Chidimma, Daniel Menan Denis and Okoye Ifunanya Rosemary all of Nigeria.

According to a circular signed yesterday by FIBA Africa Secretary General, Alphonse Bile, the technical application of FIBA Internal Regulation governing eligibility of players allegedly found the Nigerian players culpable.

Quoting provisions H1.1 Admissions and respect of the General statutes and Internal regulation; H1.2 Responsibility of the National federation concerning the eligibility of players, FIBA Africa stated that after examination and approval of the results of age control in Antananarivo for the “FIBA Africa U16 Women 2015” , the results revealed three (3) positive cases.

It stated that in accordance with the regulation dispositions of Article E.5.3.3.3 points f. et g. of FIBA internal regulation “The Technical Committee decides: Art. 1: The players hereunder are suspended of the above mentioned competition from the 10/07/2015.”

The circular further stated that the Technical Committee is transmitting the file to FIBA Africa Executive Committee to open a disciplinary case against the listed players and their national federation in this case the Nigeria Basketball Federation. The suspension thus reduces the playing rotation of the Nigerian team coached by Adeka Daudu to just nine.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has selected former International and Ahmadu Bello University basketball star, Tari Preh, as the Coach of the National U-16 team preparing for the 2015 Afrobasket taking place in Bamako, Mali from July 30 to August 8, 2015. Preh will be assisted by 2013 Afrobasket Assistant Coach, Ogoh Odaudu.

The team is expected to report to camp in Abuja shortly. Nigeria pulled out of age grade competitions four years ago to check the rampant age falsification scam which has hampered the growth of legitimate talent in the country for which the federation is currently working with stakeholders to stem.

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